South End Buttery

Having only gone to this populate cafe for brunch and coffee I decided to try dinner. While the food was very good despite a long wait for it to arrive after ordering, I have to warn, do not sit near the fireplace. The downstairs dining area became a bit too warm and it was decided to turn on the air conditioning. The airconditioner was located right above our table and blowing directly at us and on our table. After two requests to lower the speed or simpy turn it off, nothing was done. Upon her approach to our table we decided to try and see if our waitress could help. The best she could do is try to deflect the cold air by moving the vents on the air conditioner. Unforutately her attempt failed. Not only was it cold at our table our $200 check dinners also turned cold in short order. more

I ordered a veggie burger and shared a side of fries with A. The veggie burger was good but I wouldn't call it a veggie burger, you know, if I was in charge of the menu. I'd call it a chickpea patty, or even a chickpea burger. Chickpea was the strongest flavor I tasted in the burger. And it tasted good, but not what I expected a veggie burger to be. It was served on a very large bun made from flaky bakery bread and a roasted tomato. The dish also came with a mixed green salad that was tossed in an elegant, light tasting vinaigrette. The french fries are Belgian style, I believe. They're served in a huge (see a theme here) paper cone and came with a choice of aiolis - we chose the truffle aioli. The fries were amazing - my favorite part of the meal. They were crispy and tasted lightly fried and not too greasy. The aioli was a real treat as well. I would go back to the Buttery just for these fries! While we all liked our food (A also had a veggie burger and B had spaghetti) we were less than impressed with the servers. Our waitress never smiled, never asked how our food was, was slow overall, and didn't bring ketchup when she brought out our burgers, we had to ask for it. Maybe that's how they do it there, but we were surprised. She also didn't apologize when one dish came out wrong. Anyways... For dessert, we had cupcakes! The bakery section has large cupcakes, but the dinner dessert menu serves mini cupcakes. Luckily, the serving is 3 mini cupcakes. The display is beautiful. I had the vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting. It was quite delicious. The cake is a nice texture and the vanilla frosting has the same great vanilla/buttery/creamy taste I remembered. B didn't love the chocolate frosting so I sampled it so I could judge it too. It had a light chocolate taste, tasted more like butter than chocolate. The atmosphere at the Buttery is surprisingly elegant. The upstairs is typical bakery cafe style with white walls and white furniture. We ate downstairs. The downstairs is the complete opposite - dark lighting, dark wood furniture, red booths, red pillows. There were two candles on the table too, adding to the ambiance. The South End Buttery definitely satisfied our appetites! Pros: delicious desserts, breads, fries! Cons: only 2 vegetarian entrees more

The South End Buttery. It is a place I always mean to go to more often. Pros: Espresso, Carrot Cake cupcake more

We love to drop by the Buttery on Shawmut avenue during the afternoons when it's not too busy. They have fantastic pastries and I always get the soymilk chai latte because it is delicious. It's a gorgeous little place in a quiet part of an otherwise busy neighbourhood. I would recommend this coffeeshop, although I have never tried the savoury food they have. Weekend mornings since they are very busy and I feel that the place is more successful when peaceful. Pros: Delicious for coffee and pastries Cons: Cupcakes are too sweet more

I have yet to eat here, but the bartender is adorable and does a great job getting her friends there! Elle for president. Pros: Elle, sugared lemons more

Wow, I loved this place when it was just a bakery and now a full service restaurant as well! Went here for dinner and drinks for the first time last week after years of making getting many a yummy muffin/cupcake for breakfast. The dinner was terrific, drinks delicious, service friendly and professional and I can't wait until the warmer weather returns for dinner and drinks on their outdoor patio!"" Pros: Yummy Drinks, Outdoor Seating more

so glad the Buttery has recently opened for dinner. It is a great spot for breakfast and lunch and now a great place for dinner also. The food is terrific and the staff is so nice. I loved the fig appetizers, the fish and pork are both also delicious. I'm always looking for excuses to go, and the prices are very reasonable, I love it . It's very handy to go there for dinner before going to events at the BCA which is a nice short walk after dinner. Much easier to park around Union Square than up close to the BCA. Pros: ambience, food parking more

Okay, so I finally have to add my 2 cents about the Buttery. I end up going there quite often and half the time I end up hating that I ever gave them my business. My friends feel the same. We've all lived in the South End for about a decade and have seen the South End go through many transformations - this shop being one of them. The service is horrible (beyond horrible) and, if it is even possible, it gets worse when the owner is there. It is incredibly frustrating to wait in line forever when there are more than enough employees behind the counter. They are slow, trip over each other, and have perfected the art of looking busy all the while never catching your eye. The food is average at best. Touches of pretentiousness do nothing to add to the flavor or justify the cost. I have had day old eight dollar salads. The bad completely outweigh the good of the Buttery. The positive is the location. But, the thing is, you could put a taco stand with benches on this prime South End corner and it would be bustling. Pros: location Cons: service, price, attitude, strollers, unwelcoming feeling in a welcoming neighborhood more

I thought this place looked really cute, so I stopped in for lunch. What a bad decision. Firstly, they had no Turkey, Chicken or Salmon that day-which doesn't leave much else for a sandwich on the menu. Then, I had to wait sooooo long. I had finished my drink by the time my sandwich was finally done. And the sandwich itself didn't impress me. I had a carrot cake cupcake-which cost $3!! It was the worst carrot cake I have ever had, too floury tasting. Pros: ambiance Cons: price, service, food more

went by 2 times to grab something hot for the hand and wet for the throat. was tempted to get a bite too but always deterred by the price of these small coffee places (do they all have to charge $6-7 for a half sandwich, or like $3 for a slice of pound cake?). Pros: nice quiet street/neighborhood Cons: ppl don't know what they're doing (managerial issue) more

I go here every morning when I am boston for a coffee (dark roast is the best) and baked item. Flour is also good but a longer walk for me. The Buttery rarely disappoints. There are times when the help on the expresso machine isn't quite up to snuff so you can get a so-so coffee in that rare case. Pros: Ambience, Food Cons: Cost more

We all know the pricepoint of the Southend, especially those of us who live here. Yet I still feel a little shocked everytime I pay at the Buttery. A truly very nice addition to the neighborhood, quaint, great ambiance, great patio (however could use a few more tables). The sandwiches are good, just not that good for $8-10. Baked goods are the way to go...great croissants and cupcakes, cookies can be a little bland, muffins are not so hot, typically. Yet I consistantly can be seen there multiple times a week reading on the patio, sipping my coffee, and people watching. All I ask is beef up the goods, or drop the prices, its a simple solution. Pros: service, decor, patio Cons: PRICE, wait, quality more

I'll admit the cupcakes and pasteries are very enticing, but personally I felt slighted by there overpriced, underwhelming food. Their sandwiches inparticular are very meager for a $7 price tag (not even a pickle for garnish!). more

ever since richard bought the place, he's done absolute wonders for it! the ambience is absolutely amazing, the service is always very friendly, and prompt! the best coffee i've had in boston. the desserts and breakfast food are always delicious, never too sweet. the breakfast sandwishes made from scratch. this is my favorite place in the south end! and now the have longer hours! i only wish the were open in the evenings for dinner! Pros: service, food, decor Cons: long line in morning more