Gavens

There is good reason for this place closing.. it was horrible!! I had the misfortune of seeing the kitchen... I have seen MANY commercial kitchens... NONE as filthy as this! Pros: It went out of business Cons: roaches and rats in Middleton must be starving!! more

First time there, and won't be back. If you enjoy a fatty steak, the ribeye is the way to go. Half my steak was inedible and under cooked. My wife ordered the chilean sea bass which was literally swimming in a butter sauce that ruined the taste of the fish. The only redeeming quality of the restaurant was its cleanliness, but for $150, I'd suggest buying a steam cleaner for your dining room and eat in. more

If you like fatty steaks and rude service, this is your place. Half my Ribeye was inedible due to how fatty the meat was, not to mention that my steak came under cooked. My wife chose the Chilean Sea Bass which was literally swimming in a butter sauce that completely ruined the taste of the fish. The only redeeming quality of Gavens is the cleanliness, but for $150, I'd strongly recommend buying a steam cleaner for your dining room and eating in. Pros: Cleanliness Cons: Terrible Steak, Rude Service and Overpriced more

I have been to Gavin?s at least 10 times and I have never had anything but a fantastic meal. This includes the fish ? in fact my mother-in-law who is an old world Italian thought the Sole was as good as she had ever had ? truly high praise.\r \r Be prepared for a leisurely meal and don?t expect people to be falling all over you as the atmosphere is a little more down to earth but the food is as good as you will find anywhere. I would go for the creamed spinach alone ? that?s how good the food is!\r \r The restaurant is always busy so make a reservation ? your best bet is to make it several days in advance ? again, an indication how good the food is.\r Pros: Food, Atmosphere more

Don't listen to the bad reviews. Gaven's is on the same level as Capital Grille, Abe & Louies and Flemmings, but you don't have to drive into Boston and pay valet parking. The serivce is outstanding. I highly recommend the veal chop (that cut like butter) with melted blue cheese. The crab cakes are to die for as well! Pros: EVERYTHING more

The cuisine was masterful. Textures and flavors melded intricately, yet effortlessly, and aroused my palate. My senses were heightened by the ever increasing heat produced from the deft blend of spice... which lay the groundwork for a fully somatic crescendo. I was profoundly involved with my lobster tortilla, and then the porterhouse...\r \r There's magic in the kitchen. more

I been to Gavens several times with clients and also for our corporate christmas party. The steaks are the best but stay away from the Sole. It is a stuffed sole wrapped in baby asparagus. Sounds fancy but it doesn't taste good at all. Too many flavors (onions, chives, green onions). The stuffing at Market Basket is better. A note to the chef, check the fish for bones. I pulled out several. So far the rib eye steak, gavens salad, and au gratin potatoes are the best. Best to go during the week. Never crowded. Pros: Steaks, Salads Cons: Seafood more

Food here is great, especially the steaks however that does not make up for the awful service (rude and slow) and it is not just with the staff, the owner himself is rude and not at all hospitable even though you will spend over $100 per person. They use to have a great bartender but he apparently smartened up. more

I eat out very often with clients, often at many of the great Boston Steak Houses...I live minutes away from Gaven's on Route 114. Although I have been there 4-5 times and had great meals, I always feel uncomfortable...It has to be one of the most pretenious restaurants I have gone to, with very poor attitudes from the staff. It's too bad that food is great! Prices are a bit high for the North Shore. However, I will pay top dollar for good food. But I also expect the service to go with it... more

The host said ""can i help you""? in a condescending way upon entry. instead of the requisite ""good evening, how are you?"" Reservation only that night. Since there's basically nothing around for miles we decided to stay at the bar. HUGE MISTAKE. Bartenders completely nonresponsive, if it wasn't for us actually flagging them down we would have been served nothing. This from a place that the price is $100 a person on the average? The food took forever and a day to arrive....we ordered around 9 and the food didn't come until well after 10:00. Sure, the steaks were great but at that point we were so starving a saltine would have tasted terrific. Buyer beware in terms of service and attitude at this place. Save your $200 you're going to spend for something at least halfway enjoyable. more

This place is excellant,possibly even outstanding. Every time my wife and I go there,we always have a great dining experience.Pricey for Middleton?? ""Yep"",but dining here is worth every penny. more

We were seated and waited over ONE HOUR for our Salads to arrive! Other tables were getting normal service. Our waiter said ""it'll be few more minutes"". I informed the Hostess this was NOT good for us and she said ""I'll make it good"". Salads finally arrived followed as well as the rest of the meal. Our waiter told us ""Mr. Gaven would like to pick up your drinks this evening"". We appreciated the offer...but it ended there. No apology from Staff and ""Mr. Gaven"" didn't make it to our Table. NO ONE came stopped by except our Waiter. We were billed for 2 Cocktails anyway. Apparently, Mr Gaven only picked up our drinks during the Hour we waited. Pricey Food...HORRIBLE Service...The Waiter told us the Specials and then ran back to the Kitchen for Prices when we asked. Service Recovery? This place needs a Lesson in Customer Service! Pros: Good Parking, Adequate amt of Food Cons: SERVICE, Customer Service more

The food was delicious - very nice ambience - a little overpriced for the suburbs!!! more

I've been to Morton's, Capital Grille, Abe and Louie's, Grill 23 and many other great steak places and Gaven's certainly IS in their category. Although a bit pricey for Middleton, the food and service are fantastic, and once inside you would think you're in Boston, without the traffic, $10 valet parking charge, and commute. The appetizers (shrimp wrapped in prosciuto and crab cakes) were unbelievable. The filet was exquisite, as were the side dishes. Lobster casserole was just ok, but that's what you get for not ordering the steak! If you have room for dessert, GO FOR IT! It's fabulous, as well! Two thumbs up for Gavens! more