We like Legal Seafoods because you can count on the fish being fresh and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant being pleasant. The Chestnut Hill version of the restaurant appears to be a bit upscale from the others. There are several dining areas at Legal Seafood and they all having high ceilings. The decor is dark wood mixed with dark green seats on chairs and burgundy colored, leatherette banquettes. Daily specials reflect the catch of the day. Meat entrees are also available, but are in the minority. Along with the fish specials, wine and dessert specials are offered. Our waitress was exceptionally attentive and always available. She noticed that our paper place mats were getting soiled between courses, so she graciously replaced them. She delivered silverware to the table by placing it on a fabric napkin that was placed over a large dinner plate. Little touches like that give the restaurant a bit of class!
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RESTAURANT: |
Legal Seafoods |
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43 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA |
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DATE: |
July 10, 1999, November 28. 2000 |
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MEAL: |
Dinner |
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DECOR: |
American |
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BREAD: |
Yeast rolls (served hot) - excellent, wonderfully light with a perfect crust |
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SALAD: |
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APPETIZER: |
Mussels with Garlic and Wine Sauce ($8.95) Excellent - nicely cooked, very tender, with a hint of wine, a good sized portion that we shared |
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ENTREE: |
Seafood Casserole ($17.95) Excellent - Scallops, shrimp, lobster, and white fish baked with sherry and garlic and covered with a thin layer of cheese and tasty bread (cracker?) crumbs. Served with perfectly cooked, but rather everyday green beans. Comes with one side dish and one of us chose vegetable slaw (excellent) and one of us chose the onion strings (excellent). The onion strings were cut thin, but not so thin that they were totally crispy, and had a light batter coating that was excellent. The casserole was served in a scallop shaped dish that measured about 6 inches. It was extremely rich and extremely good! |
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Parmesan Encrusted Sole ($17.95) Delicious! - This was one of the nightly specials. Four large filets with a crispy Parmesan coating and a small amount of a white cream sauce with wine and spinach. Served with a large amount of carrots on the side and a baked potato. The carrots were done perfectly and had an interesting mild taste that we couldn't define. |
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Seafood Antipasto ($14.95) Excellent - Served in a huge, blue, glass bowl. Filled with a variety of greens and topped with calamari, shrimp, steamed clams with steamed mussels inside them (an unusual presentation), tomatoes and cucumbers. Had salad dressing in a small bowl on the side. |
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DESSERT: |
Key Lime Pie ($4.95) Very good and fairly light |
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Apple Crisp with Ice Cream ($4.50?) Not as good as the rest of the meal. Served hot but the topping was somewhat overcooked. |
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OTHER: |
Very friendly and helpful wait staff |
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Plenty of parking |
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Dress is casual although several men were wearing ties and many ladies were in dresses. The restaurant obviously caters to Chestnut Hill residents (many of whom are retired)who often dress up a bit to go out. Equally represented, however, were "yuppies" with young, well behaved, children. |
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There is usually a wait for tables at peak hours. It took us 20 minutes at dinner time on a Saturday night. |
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There is an attached gourmet seafood market |
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A bar is available for appetizers and drinks. Also several bar stools are available behind the bar and benches are placed in the lobby, so waiting customers can find a seat rather easily. |
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OVERALL: |
A |