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    Off the Common

    3.3 (55 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Open 6:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Off the Common Photos

    OFF THE COMMON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Upscale
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Off the Common

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    Eva G.

    This place is located inside the Boston Park Plaza. It was a long day and we decided to just dine in the hotel. The restaurant is right in the the center of the lobby. Kinda in an open area. I chose the lobster roll with steak fries. Now that was delicious! I savored every morsel. Our server was nice and kudos to the chef.

    Simi Cabernet Sauvignon & Bodega Santa Julia Malbec Réserva
    Phil M.

    I LIKE Off the Common. I'm usually a fan of the bar in hotels - like hanging out in them, and this is no exception. That said I don't necessarily feel you get your money's worth here. It just seems a tad more expensive than it should be. $24 for a glass of Prisoner, almost the same for the Simi Cabernet (delicious, by the way) when the bottle at Total Wine costs virtually the same. Yes, I understand and accept ( somewhat ) that establishments mark up alcohol fairly exorbitantly but, still. The food is slightly above-average bar fare. The flatbread pizza is tasty, as is the Rueben sandwich with fries. It was just hard to swallow the bill for that sandwich and wine at $60, including tip. Live and learn. Still, a fairly pleasant spot to spend some time. Service is basically efficient while not being overly friendly. Polite but little-to-no engagement. Seating is spacious and comfortable whether you choose a table or one of the bench/couches along the perimeter. So, in closing I'd say it is worth a visit if you're staying at the Boston Park Plaza. Just expect to pay for that wine.

    Pear and gorgonzola flatbread

    Service - Excellent! Our waiter, Simeon was attentive, had great menu recommendations and always appeared right before we needed him. Ambiance - Even though it is in the lobby of the plaza, it has a comfortable feel and noise is average. Food - warm pretzels and butter were very good. Crab cake was excellent! Arugula, spinach and beet salad was also excellent. Pear and gorgonzola flatbread was also very good. The cocktails were also very good - the rope to a flame being the best.

    Crispy chicken sandwich
    Brit B.

    Had a quick lunch here with my fiancé during our stay and was pretty underwhelmed for the price. $74 not including gratuity for one lobster roll, one chicken sandwich and six buffalo wings was pretty steep even for an expensive place like Boston. The buffalo chicken pops were decent but not at all worth a $16 price tag. The chicken sandwich was over cooked and dry. My fiancé however did enjoy his lobster roll. The fries that came with the entrees were also just okay.

    a glass of beer and a bowl of nuts
    Nicken L.

    First 90 seconds what a poor experience. I came in at 1:55 wanting some lunch. I am from out of town so I had no idea they stopped serving food at 2:00. Two servers were standing there I asked if I had to seat myself they said I could sit but couldn't order because the kitchen closed in 5 minutes. I thought no big deal I'll sit at the bar and just have a few drinks. The bartender Prayjoy came over and asked if I wanted to order. He said you have five minutes to put it in just let me know. He was awesome; I was not expecting that! Needless to say after he took my order I gave him a 20 spot and told him this is for taking my order when the other guys blew me off. He was very nice and totally understood that people may be from out of town and not know the exact hours. Super classy guy he should be the other two servers boss.

    Courtney A.

    This place is incredibly over priced and the service is rather poor. Sat at the bar to order food to-go, and while I was waiting I asked for a cappuccino. The espresso machine was out of beans so the bartender asked a server to grab more and the server flat out said no. Awkward situation for me to witness. After waiting about 15 minutes, I finally asked for a black coffee. The bartender was like noooo cappuccinos are better. Yah, in most circumstances but you don't have one to make me right now. The coffee was also an overpriced $5 Also ordered the winter Cobb salad which was POORLY put together. They honestly just gave me lettuce leafs instead of chopping it up. The squash was over cooked so it made my salad texturally unappetizing. The salad dressing was pretty bland and overall making it not a great salad. The picture I attached is of my "salad" Ordered the hamburger lettuce wrapped/medium rare and I had to explain what I wanted multiple times. Finally he understood and I asked for the fries cooked extra crispy. Not only was my hamburger over cooked, the fries were soggy. Would I eat here again? Absolutely not. The price point does not match the quality of food or the level of service it should

    great and strong Margarita!
    Lionel B.

    Superlative. Emerald Necklace cocktail (vodka with cucumber) was phenomenal. Margarita was strong and tasty. Salumi Flatbread (sopressata, pepperoni, capicola, ricotta) was exceptional. Great bar inside a great hotel. Just do it!

    Lobster roll with fries
    Sonia N.

    Came here on a Sunday around noon with Lobster Benedict on my mind but alas, that dream abruptly ended :( Seems this place doesn't serve brunch past 11:30am even on a Sunday. Yeah, I know right? And it's a hotel! Since we were already there, we decided to stay put and ordered off their lunch menu which was our next no-no. We were first seated in the middle of the dining room and then relocated all the way to the corner right next to the service door. It was a little weird since there was still plenty of seating available. So from there on out, my chair kept getting bumped into by the foot traffic and the staff was busy coming in and out with large carts to move the stationary breakfast buffet items away. As for the food, we shared the lobster roll with fries, cauliflower side and their margarita flatbread. Everything was freshly prepared and tasted decent but the dishes weren't very memorable; Standard run of the mill fare. The fries were probably the best out of all that we tried. Lasting thoughts? Hotel food that is hotel food. That's what comes to mind. Considering the price, food quality, taste, service and decor, if I could have a do-over, I'd definitely hightailed out of there and walked the extra 5 minutes over to the Boylston/Newbury St area to enjoy better ambiance for brunch (not lunch!).

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Off the Common

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    Willow & Ivy

    Willow & Ivy

    4.6
    (75 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Cocktails are not good. They need to fix all of them and make sure they are putting once big clear…read moreice cube inside all drinks. Everything else is 8+ out of 10. Steak tacos are - as someone else has mentioned - to die for. My filet mignon was juicy and VERY tender. I mean, it was so easy to cut apart. I think the chef and whoever is making the food are really carrying this place. The hostess and our server, Alex, were also very very nice and welcoming. My dinner partner had the foie gras dish, and it was also great! I definitely want to come back. Just do not order cocktails, haha. The video I am attaching is of the very first dessert on the dessert menu.

    Well we arrived in suits and dress clothes because it said "fine dining" but we were totally…read moreoverdressed at this establishment. Maybe I'm too old, but fine dining should involve that refinement. Stop calling yourself fine dining and call it expensive food with uppity servers and no dress code. Food was amazing- so please know I would absolutely go back for the food! We had lobster bisque, the best Caesar salad (top 5), calm chowder, shrimp and clams, lamb and a fillet. During our meal just after the lovely table side service of the lobster bisque my son accidentally moved the table with his feet and the drinks flew into my food. Our server watched it happen and walked away. She turned not to help but out of disgust walked the other way! The food runner came to the rescue! But then we were charged for another drink that spilled! I don't know but when your at fine dining and you get double charged for a table moving and treated like you are an inconvenience that gets me. Plus she was clearly angry with us. Food 5 stars, service 2, price for the service we received totally not worth it. Don't waste your money to get treated badly. Sorry kitchen but front of the house ruined it.

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    The Salty Pig

    The Salty Pig

    4.2
    (2.1k reviews)
    0.4 mi
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    I had a great experience at The Salty Pig in Boston's Back Bay. The location is convenient and the…read morerestaurant has a warm, lively atmosphere that fits the neighborhood well--perfect for a casual night out or meeting up with friends. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the service felt efficient even when the restaurant was busy. The food was the standout. The charcuterie board was especially impressive with a well-balanced selection, and the pizzas were flavorful with a nicely crisp crust and high-quality ingredients.

    "Keep on with the forth, don't stop/don't stop until you get enough~" What mischief could a…read morerestaurant with Michael Jackson's music possibly have? Salty Pig Pizza: A pizza with the same name as the restaurant! Who was the genius who came up with the idea of ​​salted pig and beer caramel? It's brilliant! The salted pork appears to include Prosciutto di Parma from Langirano, Prosciutto Cotto, and Salcissia. Baking rendered the prosciutto's fat, which blends with the caramel to create a beautiful golden syrup that flows across the pizza's surface. The prosciutto was savory, oily, and tender; the minced salcissia retains its coarse texture and rich meaty aroma; the caramel was sweet and mellow with a honey-like sweetness, forming the top, middle, and base notes respectively. The arugula was slightly warmed, losing its astringent and raw taste while maintaining its crisp texture, helped to cut through the richness together with the Parmesan cheese powder. The crust was crispy, while the inside the dough was soft and chewy. The cooking time and seasoning were all just right, and the restaurant's proud wooden oven added a charming smoky flavor. Affogato: I had high expectations, but it was just okay. The espresso was too sour, and the vanilla ice cream couldn't balance it out. The almond biscuits had an overpowering almond flavor, and the flavor of plant-based protein was terrible! (Oh, this should have been a plus...)

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    Interior
    Interior
    Little gem lettuce
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    Sippin' easy (w/ alc)

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    Boston Sail Loft

    Boston Sail Loft

    4.4
    (2.1k reviews)
    1.3 mi
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    During our whale watch boat ride, a local family recommended Boston Sail Loft. The place is on the…read morewater, smaller, but has better prices than the competition. First come, first served poilcy. We first came on a Sunday afternoon, but were met with an hour and 45 minutes wait for a table of two. The following rainy Tuesday, we tried again and were able to get seated immediately, next to a window overseeing the water. I had the seafood platter and a cup of chowder. My wife had whole lobster for $40. TONS of delicious food. Four days prior, Union Oyster House had whole lobster for about twice the cost. All of the food was delicious. Boston Sail Loft was a great send-off restaurant to end our Boston trip. Thanks again to our new friends from Boston for the recommendation. Our server gave me useful info on the local beers. The platter had a delicious mix of scallops, shrimp, clams and fish. The chowder has a lot of dill in it, but wow...it's the best chowder I had on my trip. My wife loved her large lobster...tons of meat.

    Busy restaurant on the water and one of my favorite lobster rolls on this trip. Huge portions and…read morevery lively in here. Server was a bit slow but due to the influx from the FIFA fans. Started with the cup of clam chowder that comes dripping from the cup. They use a lot of dill here and come out hot. A bit on the salty side but oyster cracker helps with that. The lobster mac and cheese came with a salad. The lobster mac had a nice broiled cheese top and a creamy inside. Nice lobster and cheesy flavor to it. I got the warm lobster roll and changed it to come with onion rings for $1. The onion rings tasted homemade. Slight crisp to it and thick onions. The lobster roll was massive and the amount of lobster it came with was incredible. Poured the hot butter and squeeze lemon on it for an amazing bite. Would come back here for a larger party to share the plates and order more stuff from here. The lobster bisque is only on the weekends. They have daily menus as well.

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    Inside
    Inside
    New England Clam Chowder
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    The Tip Tap Room

    The Tip Tap Room

    4.0
    (854 reviews)
    0.7 mi
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    The vibe was so chill and cozy as soon as we walked in! Even during all the world cup events, our…read moreserver was attentive and super friendly. The steak frites were genuinely the best restaurant food I've ever had, and our server, Rob, really had it down! He's friendly, he's funny, and we got in and out in 45 minutes.

    I saw the steak tips listed as on Boston's list of best steak tips spots. I have tried others on…read morethe list and wanted to give Tip Tap room a try. I ordered a draft beer from a large selection of drafts and bottle, cans options. It was Jack Abbey beer... pint came 3/4 full as left a large head on beer and better for establishment pours 12-14 oz in a 16 oz glass.. Beer was warm... bad demerit again Ordered steak tips which came with three large tips on a bed of mashed potatoes, spinach . It had some sour hot nasty pepper garnish.. I wanted roasted red or green peppers with the tips instead. Steak tips were just ok and needed a marinate or side of a dipping bbq sauce or mushroom sauce or anything. Spinach, mashed potatoes needed more butter or garlic flavoring... fresh tasting but bland. Needs more steak tips too for the price tag. It was a nice bar vibe for drinks. The chicken wing lollipops I saw for an appetizer looked tasty. I left hungry for more steak tips and wanted a charcoal char on my tips . I wanted my spinach on the side with a garlic oil next to sone grilled oil drizzled roasted peppers . I don't consider these some of Boston best but certainly not the worst .

    Photos
    Cool 'garage doors' that open up in the nice weather. A lot of places in Boston have these.
    Cool 'garage doors' that open up in the nice weather. A lot of places in Boston have these.
    Tofu Tips
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    Off the Common - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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