80 Thoreau — Restaurant in Concord

So you miss the burger. I get it. It was good. But to fixate on its absence from the menu would be to miss the essence of this wonderful place, and the dedication of a team who takes care to offer a small but beautiful menu celebrating seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients by coaxing them into the best versions of themselves. Case in point: I do not like radicchio. I took a bite of my husband’s radicchio salad and nearly ate the whole thing. I have never eaten radicchio treated so well. All of the ingredients harmonized perfectly. It was savory and almost caramelized, heady and divine, with none of the overt bitterness I usually dislike. I can no longer say I don’t like radicchio. The lamb shoulder and duck entrees were lovely, with generous portions of the main protein, well-seasoned, moist, tender, perfectly cooked. If I had to quibble, I would wish that there had been more of the supporting ingredients on the plate to make many more balanced bites. Still, the dishes were excellent and well-conceived. Cocktails, wine, dessert… all spot on. (Oh, that miso-peanut butter cookie! Almost made us forget about the chocolate custard it came with.) I’ve been coming here for many years, pre-, post-, and during Covid (take-out), and throughout all of the changes and disruptions, they remain an exceptional dining experience. Comfortable, unpretentious, and relaxing. Don’t come here if you need a burger, or if you are a picky eater, because the menu is small. Always has been. I don’t know why they no longer have the burger; they are aware of how many people are disappointed. I’m sure they have a good reason (whether economic, labor-related, or artistic) that those of us not in the restaurant industry wouldn’t predict or understand. Maybe they’ll bring it back someday. But in the meantime, 80T is a gem of a restaurant deserving of its...

Although I usually refrain from leaving negative feedback for local businesses, I feel compelled to share my recent experience at 80 Thoreau . Despite being one of my favorite restaurent , my latest visit was unfortunately marred by disappointing service from our waiter.

Unfortunately, our waiter failed to meet the basic standards of service throughout our meal. Despite walking by our table multiple times, he never once inquired about the quality of our food or whether we needed anything else, including drinks for the children. Not once !! We even had to raise our hand to get his attention and he seems annoyed . However, the quality of the food and the warm welcome from the host remained as exceptional as ever.

Additionally, we experienced a prolonged wait of approximately 50 minutes for our (adult food ) to be served, which was challenging with children in tow.

When I sought clarification regarding a charge on our bill, the waiter’s response was unhelpful and curt. Instead of offering an explanation, he simply mentioned that a $10 discount had been applied by the manager, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied with the interaction.

Despite the undeniable quality of the food, the overall dining experience was overshadowed by the inadequate service provided by our waiter. I sincerely hope that this feedback will encourage improvements in service standards at 80 Thoreau with attention to customer satisfaction, I believe the restaurant has the potential to maintain its status as a beloved establishment in...

10/9/2025 The review below was written some time ago. Something has happened since then. 80 Thoreau has a reinvented menu. The newish chef has chutzpah!

Bluefin Tuna Tartare: Preserved Watermelon & Cucumber, Watermelon Ponzu, Avocado, Rice Chips

Duck Ramen: "Crispy Confit Leg, Paitan Broth, Ajitama, Wood Ears, Ginger Scallion"

Seriously? Who puts watermelon with tuna? Drops a duck leg into a ramen bowl? Crazy? No. He was channeling my inner culinary dreams. Wow. Congrats on creativity and execution. The meal itself was uniquely wonderful.

And the service was perfect. Multiple courtesies and just the right amount of attention and interaction. You are state of the art, Emily and crew.

We dine out about half as often as we used to. The quality/price ratio just disappoints. Too often you look at a check and say: "Yikes...and the food at home is better."

But 80 Thoreau is taking some creative risks. And winning. Blend that with an intimate, ingratiating atmosphere and you have the restaurant of my dreams. KUDOS, chef and courageous owners.

Past review: "A perfect martini and something called a "Brave Lucy" launched us into another perfect dinner at one of the best restaurants within 100 miles. The hanger steak was the best I have ever had. Desert was luscious. The level of courtesy and efficient service are unsurpassed. Comforting ambiance and exacting execution are the hallmarks of 80 Thoreau. This is fine dining...