Noir

I was considerably underwhelmed. Noisy little place even when not very full. Very good service. Very mediocre food - a cheese board of entirely uninteresting selection was served too cold, woefully ungarnished except for a plonk of overripe grapes, accompanied by overtoasted bread and insipid jam. Olives were strangely bitter. I felt like they got the concept but absolutely fell down on the execution of what ought to be extremely simple bar food. I wouldn't have thought much of it if it wasn't a hotel once famous for its excellent food.

Enjoyed Noir outside at the Charles Hotel Sat night. Highlighter beer and chicken flatbread pizza. Fresh brewed and pressed coffee. Heating lamps throughout the outdoor patio and blankets available but still dress warm and wear a hat. I found it invigorating. You'll also enjoy the international music playing. Not expensive at all but still ride herd on the wait staff. 4 1/2 stars.

This place was fun! It wasn't busy when I went, early Friday night around 8:30. We sat outside and were met by a server after a brief wait. The cocktail was good, the nuts were good, it was quiet and we got to talk. I was surprised to find that smoking is allowed at the outside seating, and the server even brought an ashtray.

It's a bar hotel, the Charles Hotel. I went there because this bar was classified on Top 10 bars in Boston/area to go. I would say that's far from TOP 10. The environment looks cool, maybe for summer season, because it has tables outside, but that's it. The menu doesn't have many options. I asked for pate and it was frozen.