Branch Line
Branch Line things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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I’m writing this review in context of my wedding, but I’ll preface that I’ve come here many times prior to choosing it as the special spot for our big day. I’ll speak on the food part first so folks can benefit from that strictly on food/ambiance. Food: extremely accommodating BOH team. We love going for brunch (chicken and waffles and chicken banh mi are both sooo good), and they now have tacos on Mondays that are killer. Great cocktails, but the thing that I think about all the time is the creme brûlée and pot de creme desserts they have. Insane. I will say that I don’t feel like their menu changes all that often, and sometimes it would be nice to see a few new things. But on the whole, their staples are great. Oh, the crab cakes are also delightful! Ambiance: Ambiance wise, I like both indoor and outdoor options (though the last few times I ate outside in summer, there were a lot of wasps that wouldn’t leave us alone). Not a deal breaker and just the general con of eating outdoors. The inside is lovely and can feel a bit more intimate with the bench seating. Music is never too loud. They also have a covered patio with heaters so it’s nice to eat outside even on chillier nights. Parking is plentiful bc there’s a lot you can use that’s free, and honestly there isn’t much wait when I’ve gone bc it’s a bit off the beaten path. Choice as a wedding venue: probably unlikely that you’re reading this review for a wedding but in case you are...this location and the team is INCREDIBLE. Restaurants are SO UNDERRATED when it comes to weddings and I don’t understand why. 1. The food we knew was going to be awesome, but it was extra incredible bc the chefs worked with us consistently to make our ideas come to life. I worked in restaurants and my dad owned a restaurant, so the food part of the wedding was so important to me. It honestly felt like a lot of pressure bc my friends know I love to eat, so everyone was like “well we know your wedding food will be great since you’re a ~foodie~*”. Triggered. My anxiety was through the roof to make this perfect. Luckily, the team at Branch Line did not disappoint me AT ALL. Deena and Teagan kept me honest every step of the way, put my incomprehensible word vomits into concrete ideas & helped parse through panic decisions vs rationale ones. My guests dietary restrictions included gluten free, vegan, allergies, and BL tackled it all. I think I told them I loved them? I still mean it. (In case you’re wondering, my guests STILL rave about the food and it’s been a month. PHEW!). 2. Restaurants just make sense. They execute service FLAWLESSLY. They have the plates and supplies so no extra rental needed. They know the drill, they know their venue space inside and out, and the location perfectly blends indoors and outdoors. Probably the only complaint I’d have (no one has complained to me personally) is that I couldn’t fit everyone in one space. We awkwardly split folks up during the sit down meal, but since my wedding was a brunch wedding without dancing, it honestly didn’t feel that weird. 3. If you have a bit of an unconventional wedding like mine, restaurants are way more accommodating to things that suit your style. For instance, I made it pretty clear to Deena that I didn’t intend on having dedicated dancing. She made me feel at ease and said “no problem, we have corn hole and we can set up other games, or you can connect with these entertainment services I’ve worked with” (we didn’t end up doing that since my fiance and I made a bunch of table activities and iSpy games that people enjoyed). It just felt like I kept hearing “yes, and” instead of “no we don’t allow that”. Additionally, they helped walk me through all the decor changes I could make (it was thorough), and even let me keep some of their flowers on the tables. Overall, the entire Branch Line team really put in so much effort to make my wedding work out, and I am so incredibly thankful for them. If you’re looking for a venue for your special day, I HIGHLY recommend them! *to be clear, I do not claim being a foodie, okay?
Cassy LeeCassy Lee
00
You! Are you in a relationship? Are you looking for a great fancy date spot in Armory Yards? Here's what you're gonna do. You're gonna go to Branch Line and you're going to split a whole chicken with your current or soon to be significant other. Do you have to order the rotisserie chicken at Branch Line? Yes. I didn't make the rules but there they are. I have had many a chicken in my lifetime. Can I say that Branch Line is the best chicken dish I have ever had? I'm not sure. Can I say that Branch line rotisserie chicken is the best chicken only dish I have ever had? Yah, that sounds about right. Splitting a rotisserie chicken is just too much fun, the Peri Peri is so aoft and flavorful, and it comes with fries too! The buratta I had here was also one of the best burattas I have ever had. It's a small wonder at how tasty it is, but it is simply dwarfed by the sun that is the rotisserie chicken. ALSO MAKE SURE YOU DIP IT IN THE BASIN. They will try to take the flavor juices from you once the chicken is on your plate. They are kind and attentive and trying to be good servers but DO NOT LET THEM TAKE THE DRIPPINGS FROM YOU. If you work here and you read these word tell the people to dip! Insist they dip. Invite and implore them to have a little dippy. The chicken flavor will exolode in your mouth and you will cry and be in love for the first time or once again as if it were the first time, with your date and with your chicken. Seriously cool place, and near enough to the charles to be a biking destination to end on. Very romantic. GET THE CHICKEN.
Nicholas KielerNicholas Kieler
00
I don’t even like chicken and the peri peri chicken was amazing. Cooked perfectly and so flavorful. I wasn’t in the mood for fries so I subbed mine out with the Mac and cheese. It was so tasty. My partner ordered the same thing but got the fries, they were also amazing! 10/10. UPDATE…. I Just want to add that the staff is also amazing. I literally finished my review, posted and was about to pack up my leftovers when I pulled a spastic chicken induced possessed move and somehow knocked my whole to go box off the table. Well maybe knocked isn’t the right word. It went flying under the table like the chicken still had wings. Needless to say, I was beyond embarrassed not to mention sad because I was really looking forward to those leftovers later. Guess what they did?!!! They made me a 1/4 chicken to go. The table next to me was like “I’m not surprised, they are great here but how nice to see”. I agree sir, I agree. I will definetly come back. Next time I’ll just let my fiancé pack my to go box for me 😂
alex cooperalex cooper
00
Great industrial layout, large bar area, open concept with very clean lines. Days before Christmas there was a jovial atmosphere, but something tells me it’s like that all the time. Menu is not deep, but EVERYTHING was phenomenal. Only beer and wine for alcohol, but good rotational selection with wines that fit well with the food. In total (including appetizers, entrees, and sides) there might be 20 items on the menu. And even out of those 20 options their isn’t tremendous range (hence the 4 stars) They are known for the grilling, the rotisserie chicken, and mainly meat options. Scallops with a grapefruit beurre blanc to start (even the bread was awesome), snap pea salad was not what I thought it would be (in a good way, great!), rotisserie cauliflower, honey carrots, double layer burger. Really, rock solid all the way around. Beers, wines, food. At $110 for 1 wine, 3 beers, 2 apps, 2 sides, and a burger, not cheap not expensive, but great value.
James BrungerJames Brunger
00
Wanted to go here since it was on Phantom Gourmet. Did not disappoint! We started with the grilled squid, which was delicious. It had flaky salt and a spicy aioli on the side that was fantastic. The grilled lemon was a nice touch. My partner had the heirloom squash and tomato risotto, which she loved and was served in a generous portion. I ordered the Branch Line half chicken with potatoes. It comes in a platter of chicken jus, so everything was moist and delicious. The potatoes really absorb all the chicken fat and flavor. We also got spinach which was great. They were very accommodating for allergies, even a gluten allergy. We will be back. Most entres are over $25, just fyi! I think the ambience inside is great and the food makes it all worth it.
Peter SoucyPeter Soucy
00
So we drove by this place on the way to Best Buy and were mystified by the look from the outside patio and decided to go back for drinks, it had great online reviews so why not. I would never imagine a beautiful place like this to exist in Watertown but it’s a have to go. I love the older crowd and the design was stunning. Not a huge beer and wine list but pretty good for what it was. Our bartender was a delight. The Pilsner was on tap and in can so we got one of each and it was definitely tastier in the can. Their cider was also delicious (dry) and brown ale. We got the chicken soup and it was veeeeery salty. The show stopper was the brownie dessert, I have no clue what they put in it but it rocked our world. 10/10 will definitely coming back.
Manuela PosadaManuela Posada
00
Nearby Attractions Of Branch Line
Watertown Mall
Arsenal Yards
Best Buy
The Home Depot
Target
The Majestic 7
GymIt
Medium Rare
Arsenal Community Park
Roksana Market (Super Hero's)

Watertown Mall
3.9
(1.5K)Click for details

Arsenal Yards
4.1
(1.2K)Click for details

Best Buy
4.0
(1.1K)Click for details

The Home Depot
3.8
(912)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Branch Line
City Works (Arsenal Yards - Watertown)
Joyful Garden Watertown
Donohue's Bar and Grill
Uncommon Grounds
Buttermilk and Bourbon
Condesa
Phở O Sha | Thai-Vietnamese Restaurant
Tori Jiro
Massis Bakery
Shake Shack Arsenal Yards

City Works (Arsenal Yards - Watertown)
4.5
(857)Click for details

Joyful Garden Watertown
4.1
(569)Click for details

Donohue's Bar and Grill
4.5
(381)$$
Click for details

Uncommon Grounds
4.5
(391)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
321 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472
Map
Phone
(617) 420-1900
Call
Website
branchlinearsenal.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(564 reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Rotisserie meats & roasted veggies in a historic brick building with a heated patio & a bocce court.
attractions: Watertown Mall, Arsenal Yards, Best Buy, The Home Depot, Target, The Majestic 7, GymIt, Medium Rare, Arsenal Community Park, Roksana Market (Super Hero's), restaurants: City Works (Arsenal Yards - Watertown), Joyful Garden Watertown, Donohue's Bar and Grill, Uncommon Grounds, Buttermilk and Bourbon, Condesa, Phở O Sha | Thai-Vietnamese Restaurant, Tori Jiro, Massis Bakery, Shake Shack Arsenal Yards
